Aerospace Quality Engineer (QE) – Space Flight Hardware

We are seeking an experienced Aerospace Quality Engineer (QE) to provide resident quality assurance support for satellite communications hardware used in spaceflight applications. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience supporting aerospace flight hardware, preferably on NASA programs, and a strong understanding of workmanship standards, hardware fabrication and assembly, testing, nonconformance management, and quality assurance documentation.

This role requires a proactive, detail-oriented quality professional who can independently identify potential quality issues, evaluate discrepancies, ensure procedural and documentation compliance, and work collaboratively with engineering, manufacturing, test teams, and government quality representatives.

Candidates must have current or prior NASA workmanship certifications, as outlined below, unless they qualify for the Radio Frequency (RF) subject-matter expert exception.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as an Aerospace Quality Engineer supporting satellite systems, spacecraft, or other spaceflight hardware.
• Experience providing quality assurance oversight for the fabrication, assembly, inspection, and testing of flight hardware.
• Current or previous NASA workmanship certifications in the applicable standards, including:
  • NASA-STD-8739.1
  • NASA-STD-8739.4
  • J-STD workmanship/soldering standards, as applicable to the program
  • Strong knowledge of aerospace quality assurance processes, nonconformance reporting, corrective actions, and Material Review Board (MRB) activities.
  • Ability to review and assess work orders, procedures, test plans, inspection records, nonconformance reports, and shipping documentation.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare formal quality assessments and communicate findings to project stakeholders.
  • Ability to work on-site in San Diego, California, and provide resident support as required.

  Certification exception: Candidates with demonstrated subject-matter expertise in RF products or processes may be considered without current or previous NASA workmanship certifications. RF expertise must be directly relevant to the hardware or processes being supported.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Assurance and Hardware Oversight

• Provide quality assurance oversight for satellite communications flight hardware throughout fabrication, assembly, inspection, and testing.
• Evaluate quality issues, testing discrepancies, and hardware anomalies as they arise; provide timely assessments and recommendations to the project team.
• Monitor critical and special processes identified by the task requester.
• Verify compliance with applicable quality requirements, workmanship standards, approved procedures, and project documentation.
• Maintain a proactive approach to identifying workmanship concerns, documentation gaps, procedural deficiencies, and potential nonconformances before they affect hardware acceptance or delivery.

Nonconformance and Anomaly Resolution

• Participate in technical discussions, issue resolution, and anomaly investigations.
• Prepare written quality assessments supporting discrepancy reports, Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), MRB actions, and audit findings.
• Review nonconformances generated during hardware fabrication, assembly, and testing; evaluate proposed dispositions and provide recommendations regarding their adequacy.
• Participate in contractor MRB activities when requested and when NASA is a participant.
• Support internal project reviews and provide quality-related information, findings, and presentation materials as needed.

Inspections, Reviews, and Government Quality Support

• Participate in Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), pre-environmental test reviews, and pre-shipment reviews as required.
• Review manufacturing and test procedures and plans for completeness and readiness before implementation.
• Support NASA quality assurance surveys, surveillance audits, and in-process inspections.
• Participate in contractor quality audits and surveys as directed.
• Monitor and coordinate Government Mandatory Inspection Point (GMIP) inspections, as requested.
• Provide quality oversight for lifting and handling operations involving flight hardware in accordance with approved procedures.

Documentation, Packaging, and Shipment Acceptance

• Perform pre-shipment reviews and inspections to verify hardware readiness for acceptance and delivery.
• Review work orders, procedures, inspection records, test documentation, and associated quality records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Verify shipping documentation is complete before shipment.
• Review packaging and preparation activities to ensure flight hardware is appropriately protected for shipment and handled in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Identify missing, inconsistent, or inadequate documentation and proactively coordinate resolution with the responsible teams.

Communication and Program Coordination

• Communicate task status, progress, open issues, and quality concerns through regular correspondence and meetings with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and Task Requester.
• Provide timely updates on inspection status, nonconformances, corrective actions, and hardware readiness.
• Perform additional quality assurance support activities as assigned.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience supporting NASA satellite programs or other government spaceflight missions.
• Experience with satellite communication hardware, including RF systems, Ka-Band, S-Band, or related technologies.
• Familiarity with Government Mandatory Inspection Points (GMIPs), NASA quality surveillance, contractor audits, and government acceptance processes.
• Experience reviewing aerospace manufacturing documentation, work orders, inspection records, test procedures, and nonconformance dispositions.
• Experience with electrostatic discharge (ESD) controls and handling of sensitive electronic flight hardware.
• Ability to work independently in a resident quality assurance role while collaborating effectively with engineering, manufacturing, and program personnel.